OBITUARY.
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PRESIDENT JEDEDIAH MORGAN GRANT, who died at his residence in Great Salt Lake City, at twenty minutes past ten P. M. of December 1st., 1856, was the son of Joshua and Thalia Grant; and was born in Windsor, Broom county, New York, on the 21st day of February, 1816.

He was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints by Elder John F. Boyington, on the 21st of March, 1833.

In 1834 he went to Missouri with the company of Saints styled "Zion's Camp," and in the fatigues, privations, trying scenes and arduous labors endured by that handful of valiant men, exhibited a goodly portion, for one so young, of that integrity, zeal and unwavoring effort and constancy in behalf of the cause of truth, that have so invariably characterized his life.

On his return from that mission he was ordained an Elder, and on the 22nd of May, 1835, went forth among the people preaching the gospel and baptizing, in company with Elder Harvey Stanly.

In the winter of 1835-6 he assisted in the labors upon the Temple in Kirtland, Ohio; and after receiving his blessings, started, April 13, 1836, on a mission to the States east of that place. During this mission, most of his time was spent in the State of New York, where he preached much in various places and baptized twenty-three persons in Fallsburg, one of whom was his brother Austin, and several in other localities; and returned to Kirtland on the 6th of March, 1837....

In June, 1843, he was sent to preside over the Branch in Philadelphia, and returned to Nauvoo in March, 1844.

On the 9th of May he started from Nauvoo in company with Elder Wilford Woodruff and Gen. A. Smith, whom he accompanied through Illinois, preaching as opportunity offered, and returned and was in Nauvoo at the period of the martyrdom of the Prophet Joseph and Hyrum.

He married Miss Caroline Vandyke in Nauvoo, July 2, 1844, Bishop Newel K. Whitney officiating.

He bore the tidings of the Prophet's massacre to the Twelve and brethren in the eastern States, and resumed his station of presiding in Philadelphia, whither he took his wife, and where he wrote and published several truthful and cutting strictures upon the doctrines and course of Sidney Rigdon and his followers...

Great Salt Lake City was incorporated on the 19th of January, 1851, and at the first election held under the charter, on the 1st Monday of the next April, Br. Grant was elected Mayor, which office he magnified and held uninterruptedly and by unanimous vote, to the day of his death.

In 1851 he again went to the States, where he spebt much time in Philadelphia and Washington, and wrote several letters to Jas. G. Bennet, Editor of the New York Herald, and also published them in pamphlet form under the title of "Truth for the Mormons." -- Those spicy and unanswerable letters had a salutary effect in allaying the excitement, tried to be raised by certain foolish officials who ran from here yelping at their own shadows. He returned in 1859...

Br. Grant needs no eulogy, and least of all such a one as our language could portray, for his whole life was one of noble and diligent action upon the side of truth, of high toned and correct example to all who desire to be saved in the kingdom of our God. As a citizen, as a friend, a son, a husband, a father, and above all as a Saint, and in every station and circumstance of life, whether military, civil, or religious, he everywhere and at all times shed forth the steady and brilliant light of lofty and correct example, and died, as he lived and counselled, with his "armor on and burnished." -- And though all Saints deeply feel his departure, yet they can fully realize that it redounds to his and our "infinite gain."


Notes: (forthcoming)

==> It is expected that Mr. Jno. Hyde, Jr., (late an Elder in the Mormon church) will lecture in the Church on Coloma st., this (Saturday) evening. His subject "Mormon morals."

Notes: (forthcoming)

LECTURE ON MORMONISM, BRIGHAM YOUNG, &c. -- The Rev. Mr. Hyde, an intelligent and pleasing speaker, a seceding Mormon Elder, lectured in our town on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday nights, to crowded, attentive and delighted houses, on the rise, progress and corruptions of the Mormon fanaticism -- to call it religion would be a misnomer. If half what he asserted be true, a viler or more depraved sect never polluted the earth. He quoted freely from the sermons of Brigham Young, published by authority in the Deseret News, to sustain his positions. -- He gave them credit for great patience, industry and perseverance. He frankly confessed that Brigham was a remarkable man -- energetic, shrewd, penetrating, intellectual -- a deep thinker, a plausible, insinuating speaker, and thoroughly understanding human nature. He was a man of iron will and dauntless courage -- more of an enthusiast than knave. His sermons were more forcible than elegant -- more passionate than profound -- destitute of religious fervor, but abounding in vigorous passages. His comparisons were often vulgar, sometimes blasphemous, but never weak or obscure. Kimball was a weak, vain. ignorant, scheming, deceitful, fawning scoundrel. The Mormons generally were ignorant, superstitious, fanatical -- implicitly believing in what their Elders taught, and slavishly submitting to the most intolerable bondage. The Elders discouraged education, and kept the converts busily employed to prevent them from thinking.

On Monday night a Mr. Cook, and elderly man, an Elder of the Mormon church, after Mr. Hyde had concluded his lecture, asked permission to reply to him, which was readily granted. His language was so outrageous and disgraceful that the audience, out of self-respect, were compelled to stop him. Filth flowed from his mouth as freely and as offensively as from the sty of a hog. He refuted not one of the arguments of Mr. Hyde -- controverted not one of his assertions. He injured the cause he advocates, and convinced all who heard him that if we are to judge of the fruits of Mormonism by the language of its teachers, it is depraved beyond redemption. Mr. Hyde, in perfectly respectful language, replied to him, but his sarcasm was withering, and every word fell with the force of a sledge hammer, blistering and burning like red-hot iron.

On Tuesday evening Mr. Hyde lectured to the largest audience we have ever seen in Placerville on a similar occasion. Every seat in the Theatre, long before the lecturer arrived, was occupied, and every available spot was taken up. He confined himself exclusively to an exposition of the impostures, inconsistencies and contradictions -- flagrant and absurd in the extreme -- of the book of Mormon. He traced its history from its appearance up to the present time, and proved to the satisfaction of all present that that portion of it which was not stolen, was the silliest, weakest, shallowest of humbugs. He has evidently studied his subject carefully and understands it thoroughly. He read a verse from the book, in which a fearful curse is pronounced against polygamy, and stated that in England the Mormons indignantly deny that it is part of their creed. They contradict their own words -- repudiate their own book. Many of the wretched beings now at Salt Lake, having awakened from their delusion, would willingly leave it, but they cannot get away. The best way to root out Mormonism, in his opinion, is to settle the country round them with inhabitants of a different persuasion. He deprecated violence, and said, we use his own language -- "At no time, under no circumstances, can mob violence be justified. Any and every infraction of the laws must, sooner or later, be atoned for." -- Men who censored us not a year ago for using similar language, cheered it when uttered by another, so vacillating is public opinion.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormondom.

The Western (Mormon) Standard of the 20th inst., contains a lengthy and characteristic letter from our pure and saintly Mormon friend, Elder Cooke, who evidently imagines himself "some punkins," in reply to our strictures on his indecent language and the lecture of Mr. Hyde. With unusual modesty, which takes us completely by surprise, he confesses that his communication is "filthy," and hopes -- an unnecessary hope -- "it will not sully the pages of the Standard by an insertion! Of course not, Elder; nothing better was to be expected from you, and its "filth" was its chief recommendation. It is a precious morecau, and will give you a free entry into the refined society of Salt Lake City. You must be aware that it takes an extra quantity of "filth," and evidently there is an abundance of it in the city of the Saints, it we are to judge by the language of the Elders it sends out among the Gentiles, to "sully the pages" of a Mormon paper, or the reputation of a Mormon Elder.

We confess that we have not been initiated into the fascinating mysteries of Mormonism, nor do we know much about it, but the little that we do know is not creditable either to the doctrines taught, the teachers, or the members of the church. From our limited knowledge of it, and from Mr. Cooke's own admissions, it is admirably adapted to suit the tastes of depraved men; and if the great Mormon leader Brigham Young [does] not slander his brethren, a greater set of graceless scamps, liars, thieves, swindlers, perjurers, bloats, gamblers and libertines never polluted the earth, than are to be found at Sat Lake, in the very bosom of the church. Mr. Hyde read an article from the Deseret News, written by Brigham, in which he boasted that the Mormons could "beat the world at bragging, lying, cheating, swindling, swearing, drinking," &c., &c. We do not make these charges -- we only quote the authority of the church. We do know, however, that Mormonism, when it was tolerated in Illinois, blighted the fair name of the State, and drove many respectable families from it, who could not be forced to believe that prostitution was a virtue or blasphemy religion. Elder Cooke says:

"I told them I had yet to learn that Mormonism professed to introduce any new principles, that it was eternal, immutable truth, and claimed to be nothing more or less than the ancient gospel restored, and that it was either what it claimed to be or it was the most stupendous delusion which had ever been visited upon the world."

You did tell them so, and Mr. Hyde proved that you either did not understand or were wholly and inexcusably ignorant of the Mormon doctrine. He named a number of "new principles it introduced," disgraceful and repulsive as new, which you tacitly admitted. If it be "eternal, immutable truth," why does it so frequently contradict itself? It cannot be true and false at the same time. Mr. Hyde read a number of passages from what is termed the Mormon bible, flatly and positively contradicting each other. Truth is not inconsistent, but the Mormon bible certainly is. If it "introduced no new principle," said Mr. Hyde, "there is no necessity for it; if it has introduced new principles let us investigate them and see if they are good and worthy of inculcating." He, not Elder Cooke, for the Elder was too prudent to mention some of the slight vagaries of Mormonism, named a number of the "new principles introduced" by the Mormon Book, every one of which was in direct opposition to decency and religion. Mormonism, according to its own authority, cannot be what it claims to be, and must therefore be in the graphic and truthful language of Elder Cooke, "the most stupendous delusion that has ever" cursed mankind.

We must take one more extract from our amiable Elder's letter before we dismiss him. He says, with no little assurance:

"Mr. Hyde did not show us that a better state of things existed in what is called the Christian or civilized world than existed in Utah."

He did far better, Elder, -- he proved by Brigham's own voluntary statements, published by himself in a boastful manner, that Utah could beat the world in every species of villainy. No man better understands or is more thoroughly acquainted with the peculiar characteristics of the society he governs, than the libidinous Governor of Utah Territory. He is the "father confessor" of the men, women, and children, their spiritual as well as their temporal master; he knows all their secrets and kindly indulges them in all their innocent whims. What he says of them must be true, for he would not needlessly injure the reputation of his friends, nor bring reproach and disgrace on his congregation by attributing to them imaginary crimes. How a worse state of things could by any possibility exist in a heathen country than exists in Utah, if Mormon authority may be relied on, we cannot imagine. They are superstitious, ignorant and depraved, says Brigham, and Brigham ought to know. They are a deluded people, and are more the object of our pity than our detestation. We are charitable enough to think even Elder Cooke more of a dupe than a vicious man.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Mormons and the "Vigilantes."

The Alta California, true to its instincts, still continues to utter its threats and denunciations against the Mormons, and appears to be determined that its puny efforts shall not be wanting to aid in bringing to pass the destruction of which it has talked so much of late. -- In its issue of Monday we find another long tissue of slanderous charges against the people of Utah, which is extracted from an anonymous communication published in the Washington National Intelligencer, purporting to have been written by a man who spent, it is said, nearly twelve months in Utah, and was engaged in business connected with the transit of the mails and from that Territory. This communication is written over the nom de plume of "Verastus," and has neither the date, nor the name of the place where it was written attached to it and does not afford the slightest clue, except the peculiarities of its structure, by which its writer can be identified. It may have been written in Great Salt Lake City, in Washington or San Francisco; though it we were to judge by the article itself, we should say that it was written from California by a certain notorious U. S. ex-Associate Judge of Utah Territory. Every characteristic of the letter bears the impress of ex-Judge Drummond's handiwork. But whether he be the author of this communication or not, it makes at present but little difference; the communication itself affords another very striking instance of the evidence that is brought to bear against "Mormonism." The editor of the Alta no doubt thinks it irristible, and publishes all the charges that are made, accepting them as a further confirmation of what has already been published by Drummond. But does it not strike that sapient gentleman that a good, loyal, honest man would certainly affix his name, place of residence, etc., to a document of such importance as this. Who is this man that condemns a whole people as being traitors, disloyal, etc. and recommends the Government in such earnest language to esert its power in breaking them up? Does the editor of the Alta know his name? If he does, let him make it public... Are the editors of the Alta ready to endorse this? Hear what he says on this subject:

'Now permit me to conduct you to San Francisco, Cal., on the ever memorable 18th day of August, 1856, and behold the streets of that ill-fated city thronged with men and arms. The Federal Constitution has been upheaved, the laws overthrown, and the "Committee Vigilantes" have instituted a reign of terror. The Committee lays down its power and calls out its adherents to celebrate its retirement to law and order. The streets are decorated and hung with flags, but, alas, the star spangled flag of the free was set aside! 'The all-seeing eye over the crescent' on which was inscribed "Vigilantes," occupied the foreground, with a United States flag on the other side. Immediately in the rear of these, also in the centre, hung the Mormon emblem (sworn [sic - worn?] by them as military badges) of the "bee hive and bees;" in the rear of these, between other U. S. flags, was the "Lone Star" on blue ground, surrounded by a constellation. These are the prominent ensigns of Mormondom. No one knew the object of the secret order "Vigilantes" but those who recognize Brigham as their prophet, Priest and King. The Vigilant Committee of 1851 was an experiment of Mormon strength, headed by Samuel Brannan, Parley P. Pratt, and others, and the Vigilance Committee of 1856 may be regarded in the same light. If not Mormon, let some one assign reasons for the setting aside of the United States flag and the display of the ensigns of Mormondom.'

... It would be useless for us to make an elaborate denial of these statements of "Verastus" to the people of San Francisco or California... The idea of mixing up Governor Young or Parley P. Pratt's name in the organization of the Vigilance Committee of San Francisco is so absurd that our only wonder is that any San San Franciscan could be found to endorse and publish as correct, the testimony of a man who would make such statements....


Note: According to Dr. Robert Kant Fielding, "Judge [William W.] Drummond... had been absent from his post in Utah for almost a year by the time President Buchanan decided to take action. During this time, Drummond was in California where he wrote newspaper articles, denouncing Mormon behavior, using the pen names Amicus Curiae and Verastus. In April, 1857, he traveled east by way of Panama [and] New Orleans, where he wrote a letter of resignation to the Justice Department. As his reason for resigning, Drummond cited the ungovernable nature of the Mormons under the leadership of Brigham Young."

TO OUR CORRESPONDENT. -- A long communication was forwarded to us last week from Placerville for publication, exposing the falsehood, inconsistency and folly of John Hyde, jun., who traversed this State a few months ago striving to expose what he phrazed, the doctrines and practices of the Mormons. The communication is well written, the reasoning good, and to honest men, conclusive; but we scarcely think it appropriate for publication at present. It would be attaching a degree of importance to Hyde and his efforts which we are far from feeling, and would be a salve to vanity which we do not wish to apply. We would as soon think of shooting at a dead dog as to fire a column or two of arguments at him at present. He and his revelations and slanders are completely eclipsed and almost forgotten in this State, and a similar fate awaits him in other States. The man who lectures or writes against "Mormonism" enjoys but an ephemeral popularity at best. "Mormonism" is too progressive in its nature for the success of such individuals to be permanent. The doctrines and practices of to-day which they may expose, are overshadowed to-morrow by others which to the world appear so much more odious, that their tales are no longer worthy of notice, and unless they have a fertile and ready invention, they sink into insignificance. This is the fate which has befallen those who preceded Mr. Hyde, and it inevitably awaits him and all who follow in his footsteps.


Notes: (forthcoming)

The  News.

...The Administration appears determined to exterminate Mormonism from the Territory of Utah, and two thousand troops under General Harney, had been detailed to proceed forthwith to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake. Our latest telegraphic advices state that a Governor had been selected to supercede Brigham Young, last name seems not to have been made public. The rumor that Judge Drummond had been appointed, is contradicted.

The notorious Parley Pratt, one of the leaders of this accursed sect, has been killed by an old Californian named Mclean, whose wife he had seduced, after making a proselyte of her to his faith.

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THE MORMON NEWS. -- Although the dates from Salt Lake, received in the Atlantic States are not so late by a fortnight as those which have reached us, via Carson Valley, yet news of importance is brought by this arrival. As will be seen, a prominent official and others have been compelled to flee for safety to the mountains. Of course the Deseret News, the organ of Mormonism, makes no mention of the outrages practiced by the Saints, and hence the reason of our not being before informed of the fact published in this day's issue.

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Killing of Elder Pratt, the Mormon.

The world renowned Mormon elder, Parley Parker Pratt, was shot on the 14th of May, near Van Buren, Arkansas, by Mr. Hector McLean, late of this city, whose wife Pratt had induced to becaome a Mormon, and then seduced her. She, sometime since, endeavored to elope with her paramour, taking with her her children, but was foiled in the attempt. In a short time afterwards she, howeverdecamped, and Mr. McLean, at the request of her parents, sent her children to their residence, in New Orleans. Thither she went, declared she had abandoned the Mormon faith, and on the first opportunity, fled with her children. McLean was written to, and, like a true man, followed the fugitive from State to State, and at length found Pratt at Fort Gibson. Here he had him arrested, when, after a short trial, he was set at liberty, to the disgrace of the Commissioner. Pratt then procured a horse, and rode away as quick as he possibly could; but yet too slow for McLean, who overtook him at the end of eight miles, and shot him. He lived two hours, during which time the execrations of the people were heaped upon him. Letters from Pratt to Mrs. McLean were discovered, and they were most diabolical.

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Troops for Utah.

The administration have at last decided upon sending a formidable body of troops to Utah. Orders have been issued for the dispatch to that Territory of the Second Regiment of Dragoons, the Fifth and Tenth Regiments of Infantry, and Capt. Phelps' battery of Light Artillery, numbering in all some two thousand men, under the command of Gen. Harmey. This is said to be only the beginning of the movement.

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High-handed Proceedings of Brigham Young.

Brigham Young is carrying things with a high hand in UTah. Accounts from Great Salt Lake, to the 15th of April, state that great excitement prevailed there. The Saints had commenced the work of expelling the Gentiles. Judge Stiles, the United [States] Marshal, the Surveyor, and a large number of others had left the Territory, fearing their lives were in danger. If the news is to be credited, the issue between the Mormon leaders and the government is fully made up, and Gen. Harney and his troops will not reach Utah a moment too soon.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Assassination of President P. P. Pratt.
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By this mail was brought the melancholy and heart sickening intelligence of the murder of our beloved brother, President Parley P. Pratt. This diabolical transaction will no doubt be the signal for a general jubilee throughout California, as it has already been in the East, and will be a cause of congratulation and rejoicing among all those who hate the servants of God. Their triumphing, however, will be but short. God will, ere long, come out of his hiding place and vex the nations [----- ------ ----- -------] for blood. He will require the lives of His servants at the hands of their murderers. He has sent them Apostles and Prophets and they have slain them, crying, "their blood be upon us and our children." Their request will be granted...

(under construction)


Notes: (forthcoming)

The Killing of Pratt --
Letter from Mr. McLean.

We published a few days since, a very extraordinary article from the Mormon Standard of this city, a paper established and set up on this outpost, by Brigham Young, for the purpose of correcting the errors into which we ignorant Gentiles fall, in relation to the true character of Mormonism. This article was in relation to the killing of that hoary-headed seducer, Parley P. Pratt, who had exemplified the beauties of the system of which he was one of the most prominent and learned expounders, by stealing from her husband the affections of a wife, robbing him of his children and "sealing" himself in an adulterous union, as his seventh wife, the wife of another, the mother whose duties were owed to her family. The tool of Brigham Young, who publishes this treasonable and filthy sheet in this community, denominates the just retribution, which at the hands of an injured husband, has overtaken the lecherous old villain, Pratt, as a "murder," and blasphemously compares him and his death to our Saviour and his crucifixion, and calls down the vengeance of the Almighty upon his "murderer," at the same time giving rather strong hints that the blood of "Parley" will be avenged, and that right soon.

Whether the hot blood which must now be seething and boiling in the veins of Brigham Young and his satellites, at Salt Lake, is to be cooled by the murder of Gentiles who pass through their territory, whether the "destroying angels" of Mormondom, are to be brought into requisition to make reprisals upon travelers, or whether, as has been done before, "Saints" disguised as Indians are to constitute themselves the supposed ministers of God's vengeance in this case, we are not informed, but have no doubt that such thoughts, such intentions as these are prevalent among those saintly villains, adulterers, and seducers of Salt Lake, who, did they receive their just deserts, would be where Parley Pratt is now, in a world where hypocrisy and saintly fraud will not pass current.

It is not for us here, to enter cooly upon any argumentation, to justify the course which Mr. McLean took to rid the world of as great a scoundrel as ever infested it. There are occasions and circumstances under which it seems that an injured, wronged, ruined in peace of mind, and heart-broken man has a God-given right to take the satisfaction of his deep wrongs into his own hand. There are cases which the law cannot reach, cases which deserve the severest punishment; and if there ever was such a one, this of Mr. McLean's is it. Bulwar, in one of his plays, only utters a sentiment which is implanted deeply in our natures, that "when dishonor enters our homes, law dies, and murder takes the angel form of justice." The wronged husband has practised upon this precept, and the civilized world will, we believe, applaud the act.

We have been permitted to examine a letter from McLean, written to a relative in this city, after the shooting of Pratt, and which details, with heartfelt earnestness, the trials and troubles, and anxieties, endured by him in his search for his children. Most of the particulars, however, do not differ from those which have been already given, and we therefore only publish below, Mr. McLean's own account of the closing scenes in this tragedy. The narrative commences after he had secured the children from his wife:

On leaving Fort Gibson, the Marshal made a demand on the Commander for a command of soldiers, to aid him to make the arrests, which he directed to follow follow him the next day. The Commander complied, and started my best and true friend, Capt. Little, off that morning with a company. My friend, Mr. Shaw, who had been for some time trying to come across Pratt's whereabouts, happened to ascertain that Pratt, or a person calling himself Parker, had that morning -- (the day Capt. Little left to follow the U.S. Marshal) -- crossed the Arkansas river about two miles from the Fort, in company of a young Englishman. It struck him at once that this was none other than Pratt, and his Mormon spy of North Fork. He pursued him, and soon overtook Capt. Little and his command, and instantly informed him that he believed Pratt was ahead of them going the same way. Capt. L. quickened his march, and soon came up with Pratt, and arrested him. Capt. L. told me that as soon as he did so, and informed him that it was at my instance, that he never saw consternation until then -- the fellow fairly wilted.

The day Capt. Little left Fort Gibson, myself and the children, and a dozen of my Masonic friends, who gathered from all parts of the territory to aid me should the government not take any notice of my grievances, they got to North Fork simultaneously with the Marshal. The Marshal and E. J. also started that morning for Fort Gibson. We met the Captain and his command about half-way, resting at a spring, and having Pratt a prisoner, in the centre of a circle of soldiers.

He, I am told, had pretty sorrowful greetings for his "seventh" wife when she presented herself, and the two met. Pratt was tied with his own rope, and the end of it given ti a soldier, and the party marched off to Fort Gibson.

To avoid contact, I, with my friends, proceeded to the Creek Agency, where we were hospitably received by friend Whitfield and his lady. I started the following morning for Fort Gibson, with an escort of my Masonic brethren, and got there in safety. Remaining with the children at Fort Gibson two nights, I met with an excellent opportunity of accompanying one of the officers and his lady to Fort Smith. He drove his wife and the children in his carriage, and I rode his horse, and on getting there took us to his father-in-law's (Major Elias Rector) house, where we were kindly and cordially received, and where I had the children until I left the place. On going to Van Buren, the next morning, with Major Rector and Capt. Cahel, his son-in-law, and my devoted friend, we found a great assemblage of people awaiting the opening of the Unoted States Court, and found that my affairs had created the most intense excitement. I soon found that the parties could not be punished, as I had not sufficient evidence to convict them. Various propositions of revenge and redress were offered and proposed to me by the best men of the place and surrounding country, but I kept my purposes to myself. That day, the Marshal arrived with the prisoners, and locked Pratt in jail at his own request, and took E. J. to the hotel.

The next day they were called into court, and I was a witness. The officers of the court paid such deference to my feelings that they dismissed Eleanor before calling upon me to testify. I was allowed to state the history if my grievances, and to read the evidences of my wrongs to the court, and to about five hundred spectators. In fact, the court-room was crowded. I exceeded any previous effort of my life at relating to others the burden of my soul's anguish. I was kindly permitted to implicate the scroundrel in court, Parley Parker Pratt, as the principal cause of all my sorrows. I succeeded admirably in producing the most intense excitement; I really twice thought the crowd were about making a move to lay hold of him and tear him to pieces. The Commissioner concluded it necessary, in order to save him from mob violence, to adjourn the further hearing until 4 P.M., of that day.

The crowd reluctantly permitted him to be locked up again in jail; and when 4 P.M. arrived, the court-room was crowded long before the time, and the yard in front likewise. The Comissioner not deeming it prudent to bring him out then, postponed the case until after breakfast the next morning -- under pretence of having some witnesses for the defence to summon in the meantime. I knew they could have none, and that it was done to slip Pratt off quietly that night. My friends, anticipating this result, kept a watch all night on the jail, and the Marshal, fearing an attack, kept a watch also. So Pratt could not be gratified -- "allowed to depart at the twelfth hour."

About 8 o'clock the following morning, instead of being called into court, his horse was taken round to the jail, and he was released -- mounted and "put." Friends, soon after missing him, came and apprised me of it, got me a horse -- O pursued him; they followed and overtook me, and we overtook Pratt, and I killed him!

I am not able to say how you will view the act, but I look upon it as the best act of my life. My duty to myself demanded it; my duty to my children, demanded it; my duty to my relations, demanded it; and my duty to society, demanded it. And the people of West Arkansas agree with me in this view of the commission of the deed.

I was permitted to leave Fort Smith, five miles from Van Buren, where I had the children, two days after, in a carriage with my children, about noon of the day.

This fell at the hands of a deeply injured man the hoaty-headed seducer of his wife -- the robber of his children. And who of us shall blame him, or say that, under the circumstances, we would have acted otherwise? We know of cases in this city, where, through the meddling interference of Mormon missionaries, other families have been broken up, other wives estranged from their husbands, family ties dissolved, and misery entailed upon all the victims of this accursed system. A few such examples as have been made in the case of Pratt, will have a tendency to put a stop to these interferences, and where the evidence is as string as it was in his case, we do not believe that the world would do else than justify a similar course of action.


Notes: Word of Pratt's murder reached Utah on or about the 23rd of June.

Rumored Massacre on the Plains.

We have just been informed by Judge Brown, of San Bernardino, who has arrived in town from that city, that a rumor was prevalent there, and had obtained general belief, that a whole train of emigrants from Salt Lake city, for San Bernardino, composed of twenty-five families, comprising ninety-five persons, men and women, had been cruelly massacred on the road, between the last settlements in Utah Territory and the boundary of this State.

All the property of the company had been carried off, and only the children left, who were picked up on the ground, and were being conveyed to San Bernardino.

This intelligence was brought on by another party who had started from the city after the reported missing company, and who had overtaken the mail carrier in the Cajon Pass, where he is said to have encamped on Wednesday night.

No further particulars are known, nor any names given, [or] any account of the finding and disposition of the bodies. We give the rumor for what it is worth. The alleged facts are without authenticity as yet, the party not having arrived in San Bernardino at the time our informant left.

Although the rumor was generally believed in San Bernardino, we confess our unwillingness to credit such a wholesale massacre.


Note: This was evidently the first published account of what came to be known as the "Mountain Meadows massacre." In the 1962 edition of her well-known book on the subject, historian Juanita Brooks reproduces a 1932 letter of Frances Haynes, that refers to "the eleven miners or plainsmen who rode into Los Angeles in the fall of 1857 and reported the murder of the Emigrants at Mountain Meadows in Utah." Exactly how the report given by these purported "plainsmen" corresponded with that of Judge John Brown (mentioned above) remains undetermined.

HORRIBLE  MASSACRE  OF  EMIGRANTS!!
Over 100 Persons Murdered!!
Confirmation of the Report.

In our last publication, we gave the substance of a rumor which had just then reached us, of the massacre of a large party of emigrants on their way to this State, by Great Salt Lake City. We were unwilling at first to credit the statement and hoped that rumor had exaggerated the facts, but the report has been confirmed, and the loss of life is even greater than at first reported. This is the foulest massacre which has ever been perpetrated on this route, and one which calls loudly for the active interposition of the Government. Over one hundred persons have fallen by the hands of the merciless destroyer[s], and we hope that immediate steps will be taken by the authorities to inflict a terrible retribution on those concerned. There is no longer reason to doubt the facts -- we have them from different parties, and all agree in placing the number of the slain at over one hundred souls, men, women and children.

The details, as far as yet known, are these: A train of emigrants, from Missouri and Arkansas, for this State, were [waylaid] and cruelly butchered on the route, at a place called Santa Clara Canyon, near the rim of the Great Basin, about 300 miles from Salt Lake city. The scene of the massacre is differently designated as Santa Clara Canyon, the Mountain Springs, and the Mountain Meadows. But all agree in locating it near the rim of the Great Basin, and about fifty miles from Cedar City, the most southern of the Mormon settlements. Of a party of about 130 persons, only fifteen infant children were saved. The account was given by the Indians themselves to the Mormons at Cedar City, to which place they brought the children, who were purchased from them by the people of that city. Whether the cause assigned is sufficient to account for the result, or whether a different cause is at the bottom of the transaction, we will leave the reader to form his own conclusion. We can scarcely believe that a party traveling along a highway would act in the manner described, that is to poison the carcass of an ox, and also the water, thus endangering the lives of those who were coming after them. Yet this is the story told by all who have spoken of the massacre. It is stated, the emigrants had an ox which died, and they placed poison in the body and also poisoned the water standing in pools, for the purpose of killing the Indians; that several of the tribe had died from this cause, and that the whole force mustered, pursued the train, and coming up with them at the above named place, which favored their purpose, attacked and murdered the whole party, except a few infant children. The Indians state that they made but one charge on the party, in which they cut off the greater portion of the men, and then guarded the outlets of the canyon, and shot the men and women down as they came out for water; that one man was making his escape with a few children, and they followed him, killed him, and took the children, fifteen in number, the eldest under five years of age. The report was brought to San Bernardino by Messrs. Sidney Tanner and W. Mathews.

The following letter from Mr. J. W. Christian, of San Bernardino, to Mr. G. N. Whitman, of this city, has been kindly placed at our disposal, and we give it at length, as it is the fullest report of the massacre, and the cause which led to it, that has reached us. The writer seems to [intimate] that the Mormons will be held responsible for the murder, and in this respect he is fully borne out by present [indications], for a general belief pervades the public mind here that the Indians were instigated to this crime by the "Destroying Angels" of the church, and that the blow fell on these emigrants from Arkansas, in retribution of the death of Parley Pratt, which took place in that State. The truth of the matter will not be known until the Government make[s] an investigation of the affair. This should be done, to place the blame in the right quarter, as well as to inflict chastisement on the immediate actors in the fearful tragedy, who are reported to be the Santa Clara tribe of Indians. The following is the letter:

SAN BERNARDINO, October 4th, 1857.    

I take this opportunity of informing you of the murder of an entire train of emigrants on their way from Missouri and Arkansas to this State, via Great Salt Lake city; which took place, according to the best information I can possibly acquire, (which is, primarily, through Indians,) at the Mountain Meadows, which are at or near the Rim of Great Basin, and some distance south of the most southern Mormon settlements, between the 10th and 12th ultimo. It is absolutely one of the most horrible massacres I have ever had the painful necessity of relating.

The company consisted of about 130 or 135 men, women and children, and including some forty or forty-five men capable of bearing arms. They were in possession of quite an amount of stock consisting of horses, mules and oxen. The encampment was attacked about daylight in the morning, so say the Indians, by the combined forces of all the various tribes immediately in that section of the country. It appears that a majority of them were slain at the first onset made by the Indians. The remaining force[s] formed themselves into the best position [their] circumstances would allow; but before they could make the necessary arrangement for protecting themselves from the arrows, there were but few left who were able to bear arms. After having corralled their wagons, and dug a ditch for their protection, they continued to fire upon the Indians for one or two days, but the Indians had so secreted themselves that, according to their own statement, there was not one of them killed, and but few wounded. They (the emigrants) then sent out a flag of truce, borne by a little girl, and gave themselves up to the mercy of the savages, who immediately rushed in and slaughtered all of them, with the exception of fifteen infant children, that have since been purchased with much difficulty by the Mormon interpreters.

I presume it would be unnecessary for all practical purposes, to relate the causes which gave rise to the above described catastrophe, from the simple fact that it will be attributed to the Mormon people, let the circumstances of the case be what they may. But it seems, from a statement which I received from Elders Wm. Mathew and Wm. Hyde, who were in Great Salt Lake city at the time this train was there, recruiting their [outfit] and were on the road to this place at the time when they were murdered, but several days journey in the rear -- somewhere about the Beaver Mountains, which is between Parawan and Fillmore cities, that the causes were something like these: The train camped at Corn Creek, near Fillmore City, where there is an Indian village, the inhabitants of which have raised a crop of wheat, and a few melons, &c. And in trading with the Indians they gave them cash for wheat, and they not knowing the value of coin were severely cheated. They wanted a blanket for a sack of wheat, but they gave them fifty cents, and told them that amount would buy a blanket. They also had an ox with them which had died, and they put [some] strychnine in him for the purpose of poisoning the Indians; also put poison of some description in the water, which is standing in holes. This occasioned several deaths among them, within a few days after the departure of the train. And upon this, it seems, the Indians gathered themselves together, and had, no doubt [chose] the place of attack, and arranged everything before the train arrived at the place where they were murdered.

It was ascertained by some of the interpreters, from a few of the Indians who were left at Corn Creek, that most of the Indians in the country had left; but they could not learn for what purpose, and before any steps could be taken to ascertain for certain what was the cause, the story was told -- they were all killed.   Yours truly,

J. WARD CHRISTIAN.    

Notes: (forthcoming)

Topics of the Day.

In another column will be found the details of the horrible slaughter by the Indians of more than one hundred emigrants, at a point three hundred miles this side of Salt Lake City. After reading them, the conclusion can hardly be resisted, that the Mormons have had something to do with this cruel butchery. The statement that the Indians were impelled to fall upon the emigrants because they gave them money instead of goods for the things which they had purchased from them, and also that they placed poison in the body of an ox which had died, and also poisoned the pools, is not entitled to much weight, for, as the Star the paper from which we copy very justly remarks, it is hardly creditable ěthat a party traveling along a highway would act in the manner described, and endanger the lives of those coming after them. We are loth [sic] to believe that the Mormons, as bad as they may be, could have instigated this massacre; but when we reflect that there are grounds for believing that they had a hand in the murder of Gunnison and his party that there is in Salt Lake City an organization of blood-thirsty scoundrels, known as the Destroying Angels, who stop at no villainy, and that the persons murdered were from the State in which the Sainted Parley received the reward for his crimes, it is impossible to divert the mind from the suspicion that others besides the Indians had a hand in this horrible butchery. It will also be seen, that the San Bernardino Mormon, whose letter detailing the circumstances is given in another column, expresses the belief that it will be attributed to the Mormons, and it is an old maxim, that he who excuses, accuses himself; but our readers are competent to form an opinion on the subject themselves. All the facts relating to the subject, as far as known, are before them....


Notes: (forthcoming)

LATER  FROM  THE  SOUTH
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ARRIVAL  OF  THE  SENATOR.
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HORRIBLE  MASSACRE  OF  EMIGRANTS.
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Over One Hundred Persons Killed!

By the arrival of the steamers Senator, from the South, and Commodore, from Oregon, we are enabled to lay before our readers the following interesting items.

Our dates from San Diego are to the 10th; and from Los Angeles to 3d, and from Santa Barbara to 8th....

HORRIBLE MASSACRE OF EMIGRANTS. -- J. Ward Christian writes to the Los Angeles Star as follows:   (see original letter in L.A. paper)

The Star gives further details in relation to the atrocious massacre on the plains. The details, as far as yet known are these: A train of emigrants, from Missouri and Arkansas, for this State, were waylayed and cruelly butchered on the route, at a place called Santa Clara canyon, near the rim of the Great Basin, about 300 miles from Salt Lake city.... (see original artocle in L.A. paper)

OUR  LOS ANGELES  CORRESPONDENCE....
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LOS ANGELES, October 9th, 1857.    

Since the 1st inst., we have been receiving accounts of diabolical massacres upon the emigrant trail from Salt Lake. These accounts are still vague, and should be received with allowance for exaggeration or prejudice. The latest account states that a train of twenty-fove families, embracing more than a hundred persons, were massacred at the Vegas of the Santa Clara, about one hundred miles this side of the last Mormon settlement. Those who are known to have escaped are children. 10 or 12 in number, who are too small to give any account of the scene, and who were picked up near the spot and brought into San Bernardino by some parties who passed the spot afterwards.

The last report states that these immigrants were all from Arkansas and Missouri. They had been troubled by the Indians, who frequented their camps in great numbers; and they resolved to get rid of them. An ox was killed and strychnine put into the meat, which was left where the Indians could find it. It is also said that they poisoned the water, and that several Indians, among them several chiefs, died from the effects of the poison. The Indians were greatly enraged and followed the train several days, watching for an opportunity to avenge themselves. At the Vegas, where there is a good deal of thick brush, they came up with the train in large numbers, and their hostile attitude impelled the emigrants to make a stockade of their wagons on self-defence. They were cut off from water, and the only supply they received for themselves and animals was brought in by the little girls, who alone were permitted by the Indians to go out and fetch it. At the end of three days the little girls became so worn out by constant labor as to be obliged to desist. A man was then sent with a flag, but he was immediately shot, and the attack commenced. The Indians did not cease until every person except the children were killed. This was done with comparative ease, as the siege and privations they had endured had weakened a dispirited them.

It is further said that the Indians took the animals and wagons, together with a large number of children, and returned back to the Mormon settlements to sell them, and that this account is derived from the Indians themselves, who reported the reason for, and manner of the slaughter, in their arrival at the settlements.

This is the Mormon account of this horrible butchery. It was brought in by the mail rider, and also by some gentlemen who saw the bodies lying upon the ground. It may be as asserted, but there are many who do not believe it, and they charge the Mormons with the crime, or at least instigating it. It is well known that all the Indians in the Territory are baptized "Saints," and that the chiefs have taken an oath to "obey council." They are allies of the church, ready to act in its defence. The mail rider says that were he to deny that he is a Mormon, his life would not be worth defending, and that those Indians are instructed to kill all who oppose the church. I have been told by men from Salt Lake that on their recent visit to the Mormon settlements, Young saw many of the chiefs of tribes, and exchanged pledges of mutual assistance and defiance to the United States Government. In his contest with the government, if he stands out for a fight, he counts on those Indians as messengers of divine wrath to exterminate the ungodly.

We shudder at such wholesale butchery, and are almost incapable of expressing the sentiments that animate us. But we were prepared to expect such deeds, and more of them, because every one who comes from Salt Lake repeats the imprecations that are breathed iut against those [who] are under the ban. A large portion of our new population for a year past are those who have fled from Salt Lake, and almost every one of them has a tale of escapes from the pursuing Indians or angels. How long shall these murdering bands infest the highways of the nation? For years it has been asserted that it was not safe to travel over that uninhabited country, and that the danger was no more from Indian than Mormon vengeance. And there is no more protection to-day than there was when the first murder was committed.

The  Emigrant  Massacre.
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We publish this morning an account of one of the most terrible wholesale slaughters which it has ever been the melancholy duty of a journalist to chronicle. Over one hundred emigrants, on their way to California, were attacked by a large force of Indians, and after a fight which lasted two days, those who were still left alive were mercilessly butchered, after having sent to their inhuman enemy a flag of truce, and thrown themselves upon their mercy.

This brutal affair fills up the measure of our rage, which travellers from the East to the Pacific coast have suffered from the Indian tribes which roam over the plains and dwell among the mountain fastnesses. Year after year the press of this State has been calling upon the General Government for the establishment of a lone of military posts, which should afford protection to emigrants; and, so far, our appeals have been disregarded. Whether this last outrage will awake the "powers that be" to action, remains to be seen. We sincerely hope it will.

The person who communicates the report to the Los Angeles Star, and who we suppose of course, is a Mormon, takes occasion to deny in advance that his co-religionists have instigated this massacre. This is a matter which should be strictly investigated by the government, and if it should be found that the Mormons have thus commenced carrying into execution the system of extermination of the Gentiles, which it has been for some time supposed they were concocting, prompt and adequate punishment should be administered to them. Will the authorities at Washington rouse themselves from their inertness, and make a full investigation of this whole matter?


Notes: (forthcoming)

Massacre of Emigrants --
Reckless and Malignant Slanders
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An extra of the Los Angeles Star contains an account of a horrible massacre of emigrants, which took place at the Mountain Meadows, near the rim of the Great Basin, between the 10th and 12th of Sept. The details, so far as known, have been given in a letter written by J. Ward Christian of San Bernardino, under date of Oct. 4th, to a gentleman in Los Angeles, and is published in the Star. The company consisted of about 130 or 135 men, women and children...

The fact that the massacre occurred somewhere within the boundaries of Utah, and the fact also that the train was from Missouri and Arkansas -- States against which, we are gratuitously informed, the "Mormons" entertain the most intense hatred -- are deemed a sufficient foundation upon which to base an accusation of the guilt against the Mormons. It is incredible, and utterly inconsistent with civilized human nature, in these [Gentile} editors' view of the case, for the emigrants to cheat the Indians, or to poison their water and the carcass of an ox. This is too hard a story to believe. But mark the difference, when there exists the slightest possible chance of attributing the most foul and atrocious deeds to an innocent people, because they are "Mormons," and live in the Territory where they are committed. It is not incredible to think that the "Mormons" either perpetrated themselves or instigated the Indians to perpetuate the murder of upwards of a hundred men, women and children, because, forsooth, they hailed from the States of Missouri and Arkansas! This is not too hard a story to believe -- it does not tax the credulity of these very incredulous gentlemen in the least. They can believe this without the slightest shadow of evidence; but transactions which every season's emigration witnesses -- the cold-blooded murder and poisoning of Indians, can not be believed, because, if believed, the "Mormons" could not be charged as the instigators of the massacre.

Inconsistent as it may seem with "civilized human nature," every man who has affected to discredit the story of the poisoning of the water and the carcass of an ox by the emigrants, must know that it is a practice of common occurrence on the plains, especially among "border ruffians," to shoot down every Indian they can get sight at, and to leave the poisoned carcasses of cattle as a means of entrapping the unsuspecting savage. If they had been killed in any other territory than Utah, the story would have been believed without hesitation; and it would have been said, that the emigrants provoked a most fearful retribution by their own acts.

We appeal to every honest, intelligent man to view all the facts of the case as they have thus far come to light, and ask, Is it not enough to drive any people mad, to be thus charged with an atrocious crime of this kind, when they know they are as innocent of it as the child unborn --- and when they know, also, that their accusers are no more warranted by the evidence before them in accusing them, than they would be in fastening a similar charge on the inhabitants of San Francisco? As if the feelings of the people were not already sufficiently hostile against the people of Deseret, a venal and incendiary press must seek to add fuel to the flame, and raise a feeling of embittered hatred against "Mormonism" and the "Mormons" in the breast of every man who will be influenced by them, or who will not take the trouble to think and investigate for themselves. What cause is there for wonder at our talking as plainly and independently as we do, when this state of feeling is so universally prevalent on all hands? Though we were filled with the most intense love for our compatriots, yet this persistent determination on their part to fasten upon us the commission of the most foul and unnatural crimes, regardless of all evidence and all our protestations of innocence, is sufficient to finally extinguish it. And the instance above is only one out of a numerous list that might be adduced; it is but another illustration of that utter disregard of justice and honor which has been continually exhibited by journalists and others in their treatment of the "Mormons." How long they expect we can endure such things, and not arise and resent them, we do not know; but such creatures may yet learn that there is a limit even to Mormon forbearance and endurance.

---

Since the arrival of the last Utah mail, there has been considerable speculation among our contemporaries, in regard to the result of the Utah expedition. The bold, independent and outspoken manner in which the people of Desert have made known their feelings of late; has had a startling effect on public journalists generally; and they begin to realize that there is a possibility of goading the inhabitants of that Territory, by a series of long continued acts of oppression, to the defence of their religion and homes. Of course it was expected that the "Mormons" would endure passively, as they had always heretofore done, every indignity that was to be heaped upon them. But even this was to have availed us nothing. The Administration organ in this city informed the public a few weeks ago, that the contingency of our submission had been foreseen, and such a course could not in any measure divert or change the policy resolved upon at Washington towards Utah. That policy as set forth by paper, was, to overthrow the practices at present prevalent in Utah and inaugurate a new order of things in their stead–to bring about collisions between the church and the officers of the law, and to do every thing in their power to efface every distinctive feature of "Mormonism;" or, to tell the policy in plain English, to prevent us from worshiping God according to the dictates of our own consciences. If resistance were offered to this violent and unparalleled deprivation of constitutional rights, an armed force was to be on hand, whose numbers and equipments were to be of such a nature as to stifle any such expedition at its birth.

But suspicions have lately been aroused in the minds of many, which make them think that if by any means the Mormons should be aroused to resistance, it might not be so easy a matter to accomplish all that had been laid out for the new officials to do as bad been imagined. Our bellicose neighbor of the reputed Administration organ, who has been noted for the fanfaronade he indulged in on the Mormon question and who predicted so confidently a few weeks ago, the speedy downfall of "Mormonism" and the subjugation of the "Mormon," now thinks that should a collision take place, and the "Mormons" be disposed to resist, a war would be commenced the most protracted and bloody the country ever engaged in, and which would require an immense outlay to bring to a termination. Well may he and his confreres of the press be startled at the train they have set in motion, and the consequences which are likely to attend the present movements towards Utah. If blood be shed, if a collision take place, and a war be commenced, a large share of the blame must fall upon the heads of leaders of public journals throughout the country. They have done all in their power to bring about such a consummation. Not content that the public should judge of the case themselves, and weigh carefully the evidence presented before them, they have sought with all their talents and the influence they could exert, to create a deep-rooted and deadly antipathy against the people of Utah and their belief, circulating the most base and malicious falsehoods concerning them, and keeping the public mind in a state of continual agitation and ferment. They have given publicity to the slanders of every vile and corrupt wretch that would denounce "Mormonism" -- have given place in their columns to every absurd and ridiculous story that has been started about the "Mormons," and have done al in their power to array the Administration against us; but in almost every instance, they have either treated with contempt or totally ignored every rebuttal of the false stories afloat respecting the Deseretians.

If "Mormonism" is to be overthrown and exterminated by the new Governor and the troops now on their way to Utah, and the different papers really state the truth when they affirm that this is the object for which they are sent, then it need not be expected that when the Mormons in that Territory are informed of the intentions, they will submit quietly to their enforcement. Where is the people that posses any claim to manhood, that are worthy of the blessings of liberty that would? We solemnly declare that, were we in Utah, and aware of the intentions of the officials and troops which are so boastingly and universally avowed in the public prints, we would never submit to such things. We have ever felt that the storms of liberty would be preferable to the serenity of slavery; and we know that there are hundreds in Deseret that feel as we do on this subject. Let this policy be carried out, and where is the liberty of conscience which the Constitution guarantees unto every citizen, "Mormon" or otherwise, and of which we vaunt so much?

The people of Deseret are willing and determined to abide by the Constitution and laws of their country, they were willing to be governed in a proper manner by the appointee of the Federal Government; but they are not willing to have that rule enforced at the point of the bayonet or the mount of the cannon.–They expressed their wishes to the Administration in relation to the Federal appointees who were to be sent in their midst; but their wishes were utterly disregarded. Instead of men being selected who would attend to the duties of their office; and not interfere with the religious rights of the people, officers have been sent whose especial mission, it appears, is to produce strife and disunion, and curtail the religious privileges of the people. Such a course dare not be adopted towards any other Territory than Utah, or to other people than "Mormons." It would be attended by too many serious consequences for any sane Administration to attempt. But, when pursued towards "Mormons," it corresponds with the treatment they have heretofore received, and becomes a fitting finale to the long list of wrongs which they have endured.

Talk about the people of Deseret declaring their independence; they have had sufficient provocation years ago, to declare themselves free and independent, not of the Constitution, laws and institutions of their fathers and of the land that gave them birth, but of the corrupt and partial administrators of those laws. They have never experienced such treatment as they ought, in common justice, to have received. They have been abused, vilified and wronged in the most outrageous manner–called murderers, thieves and every thing else that was vile, and not only called but treated as such–until the people have almost persuaded themselves that the "Mormons" had no rights, and that they were absolutely conferring a favor upon them by permitting them to live at all. The first settlers of other territories have been rewarded by large grants of land and the most liberal help and encouragement; but how has it been with the Deseretians? Though their labors in reclaiming the wilderness, in adding to the conveniences of traveling, and in enduring the peculiar hardships incident to a residence in that sterile and uninviting country, have been such as to draw forth the unwilling admiration from our enemies, yet, instead of seeking to encourage them, every thing has been done that would have the contrary effect. Appropriations have been withheld, or when not withheld, doled out with a niggardly hand; schemes have been concocted and made public, to deprive us of the land on which we have settled, and every measure put forward for adoption that would be likely to humble and annoy us. Our mail privileges have been cut off, and we have been looked upon and treated as outlaws and slaves, permitted to dwell by sufferance only, on a portion of that unoccupied land which we had taken so active a part in adding to the public domain. These are facts which can not be truthfully disputed, and they are facts, too, which the world know to be true.

(under construction)


Note: It would seem that the "limit... to Mormon forbearance" was revealed in the July 3rd issue of the Western Standard, when the editorial writer "granted" the supposed "request" of the Arkansans, that the blood of the deceased Parley P. Pratt, be upon them, and their "children." At least the murderers at Mountain Meadows retained enough of their humanity to preserve the lives of a few of those same emigrant "children," whilst inflicting Mormon blood atonement upon those children's parents and their older brothers and sisters. Editor George Q. Cannon's pious refutation of the murder charges (on the behalf of "destroying angels" whose activities he could not possibly entirely account for) reads like the typical LDS boilerplate self-justifications of the era. He laments the "utter disregard of justice and honor," while initiating the LDS cover-up of the massacre, which would stain the skirts of saintly justice and honor for generations to come. Given the usual pretensions of high Mormon leaders of that period, to elevated spiritual discernment, it seems remarkable that none of "the Brethren" ever apparently sought divine revelation in the matter -- or, if they did, they kept the truth of such revelatory information a closely guarded secret. For Elder Cannon, at least, the Mormons of southern Utah were "as innocent of it as the child unborn." Cannon (who became the second most powerful Mormon on earth) is not known to have ever admitted Mormon involvement in the massacre, nor to have expressed any remorse over that unholy involvement, over what he himself calls "the most foul and unnatural crimes."

Topics of the Day.

The last fearful intelligence from the Middle Plains, should warn the people of California, that, until the subjugation of the turbulent Mormons and their sanguinary Indian allies, there is no safety either for mails or immigrants by that peril-environed route. Two years ago, an experienced army officer who had passed some months in Utah, not without profitable observation, declared he would not undertake to enforce the laws of the Untied States in that territory with a force of less than five thousand men. At that time, he computed the Mormon fighting population at ten thousand men; and he reasoned that in any contest with the United States, the followers of Brigham Young would avail themselves of the willing aid of the neighboring Indians. The army of Deseret has since been strengthened by large accessions. It has been exercised in the use of arms; abundant munitions of war have been manufactured in the settlements; the Indian tribes have been drawn into closer alliance; and the bold seditious tone of the Mormon Prophet give startling proof of his confidence in the strength of his position.…As if the fiery cross had been spied among them, the Mormons of Carson Valley and San Bernardino, are thronging to Utah in obedience to the summons of the Prophet. The atrocious massacre at the Mountain Meadows, tells its own tale; and in whatever light it may be viewed, and to whose instrumentality soever it may be attributed, has its own terrible significancy. There is no adult left to tell the story of their fearful butchery, but the Mormon Elders already screen the Indians to whom they impute its perpetration, by charging upon the Americans the first act of aggression. But it matters not by whom the deed was done; it is manifest that immigration by that route, until exemplary punishment shall be dealt out to the criminals, and that country be thoroughly subjugated and pacified, is wholly out of the question. There is no safety for mails or passengers until the military arm of the Government shall be felt throughout the length and breadth of Deseret.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Topics of the Day.

... it is argued that the [California] emigration has been left without protection, a large number of unfortunates had fallen victims to the incensed Saints or their Indian allies, and that their massacre was entirely chargeable to the Administration. But the Chronicle seems to have incautiously overlooked the fact, that the tragedy occurred three hundred miles this side of Salt Lake, and consequently, that even if the troops had arrived in Utah and held absolute possession, their presence there could not have afforded the protection to the train three hundred miles this side. By reference to a communication from an authentic source in to-days Herald, it will be seen that Orson [sic - William?] Hyde, one of the principal Saints, states that a great proportion of the murdered ones were Back Outs, Mormons disgusted with the rule of Brigham Young and his Danite crew, who had availed themselves of the fancied protection of a body of emigrants, to leave Salt Lake...

---

The  Emigrant  Massacre.

Editors of the San Francisco Herald: --

I have just had a conversation with Mr. B., who has read a letter from Orson Hyde, received here day before yesterday, (Oct. 7th,) from San Bernardino, at which place Hyde recently arrived, with an escort of thirty men, from Salt Lake, and where his letter was written to a brother Mormon here, Mr. L. He writes, that he left Salt Lake just two days after the unfortunate emigrant train passed that place, and overtook them in time to save the children remaining alive -- fifteen infants only; that the bodies of 118 persons, men, women and children, were lying upon the ground, a prey to the buzzards, many of whom were of the "back-out order," who had joined the California emigrant train for security in traveling. Hyde writes, that he learned from the settlers in the vicinity of the place of massacre, that the Indians fired upon the camp about two hours before before day, killing a large number, and then retreated. The emigrants then formed a corral with their wagons, and at daylight the Indians returned to the attack. That the fight lasted two days, when the emigrants sent out a little girl about twelve years old with a flag of surrender; that she was killed, and the entire train destroyed, leaving the bodies upon the ground, which Orson Hyde himself counted, (118,) he arriving at the spot just in time to gather up the fifteen infants, which he brought into San Bernardino. Hyde is going directly back to Salt Lake, and takes, per Brigham Young's [instructions], a large number of Mormons with him. The recipient of the letter thinks the fate of the back-outs just and merited. My informant don't believe it was the Indians who killed the emigrants.   V.


Note 1: The above text was taken from a reprint, published in the Olympia, Washington Pioneer and Democrat of Nov. 6, 1857.

Note 2: There are several problems with the above account -- written by "V," a Californian, who learned of the news from "Mr. B," who, in turn, read a letter supposedly sent by LDS Apostle Orson Hyde, from San Bernardino, to an associate of "Mr. B," who was "a brother Mormon, here (San Francisco?), Mr. L." -- "Lincoln"? The chronology of the account seems to be in doubt, as it asserts that Orson Hyde left Salt Lake two days after the Fancher party departed that city, and "overtook them in time to save the children remaining alive." Exactly what this means is unclear, but the writer appears to have made the conclusion that Orson Hyde was present in southern Utah, and had a hand in preserving the survivor children, before they were split up and placed with Mormon families in the area. there is no confirmation of these allegations to be found among contemporary historical records -- certainly Orson Hyde (nor anybody else) participated in moving the children to San Bernardino. Either the writer has grabled the information given him, or Orson Hyde made an otherwise unknown trip to southern California at the time of the massacre.

Note 3: Orson Hyde reportedly was present in Salt Lake City on September 10, 1857, when James Haslam arrived from the south, seeking counsel on how to deal with the emigrant train. Hyde says: "I happened to be in President Young's office... when the messenger from Cedar City, not far removed from the Mountain Meadows, arrived" (CHC IV:139-180; "Orson Hyde" MS, written by Joseph S. Hyde, p. 74). Given all of this evidence, it is safe to assume that "V" made the mistake of confusing the Mormon Apostle with the Mormon "mail-rider," William Hyde (whose situation in the late summer of 1857 somewhat fits that of the "Hyde" mentioned in the article).

Indian Outrages.

The horrible massacre of one hundred emigrants, near the rim of the Great Basin, some 300 miles from Salt Lake City, an account of which will be found in our columns, taken in connection with the outrages and murders of the Indians on the Northern route, have caused an excitement among the citizens of this State which can only be allayed by vigorous measures of redress on the part of our Government... The posting of a few companies of dragoons over an extent of fifteen hundred miles of unsettled country, seems to have no other effect than to convince the savages of the facility with which they may massacre with impunity. If a war is to be made upon the wild tribes of the Plains, we must prepare outselves for a war almost of extermination; their means of subsistence must be destroyed, their people slain, the sword, fire, famine and all the other means and appliances of civilized and barbarous warfare, including whiskey and pestilence, must be employed, before the white may with impunity journey over the Plains. From such a course the American mind recoils with horror -- from such scenes of desolation the humane eye is averted in disgust...

From the Los Angeles Star Extra of Oct. 10.

Horrible Massacre of Immigrants!!

(view original article from Los Angeles paper)

Notes: (forthcoming)

THE  LATE  HORRIBLE  MASSACRE.

In the early part of the week, an intense excitement pervaded [our] citizens on learning that parties had arrived in town, who corroborated the statements previously made in regard to the horrible massacre of one hundred and eighteen persons; on the Salt Lake route to California; and placards were posted throughout the city, calling a public meeting of the citizens to be held at the Circus Pavilion, on the Plaza, on Monday evening, to hear the statements of the parties alluded to, and to adopt such measures, in view of the facts, as should be deemed advisable. Accordingly, at the time appointed, a very large number of our citizens assembled, deeply impressed by the awful tragedy which had been enacted on the borders of our State, and anxious that such a representation of the facts in the case should be made to the authorities in Washington, as should compel them to take immediate steps to discover the perpetrators and instigators of the foul outrage, and inflict on them condign punishment. We need not here more particularly refer to the proceedings of the meeting, as they are reported elsewhere; but as we have obtained the statements of Messrs. Powers and Warn, the gentlemen above alluded to, which contain the nearest approach to an account of the massacre that can be given at present, we prefer to add them here, rather than in the report of the meeting.

The statements were drawn up, at the dictation of the parties, by Mr. W. A. Wallace, who read them to the meeting, and from whom we obtained them, through the chairman of the meeting, Mr. G. N. Whitman.

These documents exhibit a deplorable picture of the working of Mormonism, which, if correct, show the leaders of this sect to be actuated by the most atrocious designs towards their fellow-citizens of the Union. We hope for the sake of our common humanity, that the character of this people may be redeemed from the black catalogue of crime here preferred, and that it will yet appear that they are not the fiends incarnate they are represented, but that they used all possible diligence to prevent the late massacre, and that they act in good faith to preserve the lives of such of their fellow citizens as, from necessity or choice, travel through their Territory[, of] the common property of the citizens of the Union.

As each will draw his own conclusions from the narrative, without further comment we give the statements of Messrs. Powers and Warn, regarding the late Massacre of the Plains.

Mr. George Powers, of Little Rock, left Arkansas, and with his train arrived at Salt Lake in August. He says:

We found the Mormons making very determined preparations to fight the United States troops, whenever they may arrive. On our way in we met three companies of 100 men each, armed and on the road towards the pass [above Fort] Bridger. I was told at Fort Bridger, that at Fort Supply, twelve miles this side of Fort Bridger, there were 400 armed Indians awaiting orders; they also said that there were 60,000 pounds of flour stored at Fort Bridger for the use of their army. We found companies drilling every evening in the city. The Mormons declared to us that no U. S. troops should ever cross the mountains; and they talked and acted as if they were willing to take a brush with Uncle Sam.

We remained in Salt Lake five days, and then pushed on, hoping we might overtake a larger train, which had started ten days ahead of us, and which proved to be the train that was massacred. We came on [to] Buttermilk Fort near the lone cedar, 175 miles, and found the inhabitants greatly enraged at the train which had just passed, declaring that they had abused the Mormon women, calling them whores, &c., and letting on about the men. The people had refused to sell that train any provisions, and told us they were sorry they had not killed them there; but, they knew it would be done before they got in. They stated further, that they were holding the Indians in check until the arrival of their chief, when he would follow the train and cut it to pieces.

We attempted to purchase some butter here; the women set it out to us, and as we were taking it away, the men came running and charging, and swore we should not have it, nor anything else, as we had misused them. They appeared to be bitterly hostile, and would hardly speak to us. We were unable to get anything we stood in need of. We camped at this place but one night.

At Corn Creek, we found plenty of Indians, who were all peaceable and friendly. We learned nothing of the train, except that it had passed that place several days before, and we were glad to find we had gained so much on them. The next place where we heard of the train was on our arrival at Beaver, 230 miles from Salt Lake. Here we learned, that when the train ahead [was] [camped] at Corn Creek, which was thirty-five miles back, and at which place we found the Indians so friendly, an ox died, and the Indians asked for it. Before it was given them, a Mormon reported that he saw an emigrant go to the carcass and cut it with his knife, and as he did so, would pour some liquid into the cut from a phial. The meat was eaten by the Indians, and three of them died, and several more [of them] were sick and would die. The people at Beaver seemed also to be incensed against the train, for the same reason as before reported. I asked an Indian at Beaver, if there was any truth in the poisoned meat story; he replied in English, that he did not know, that several of the Indians had died, and several were sick; he said their water-melons had made them all sick, and he believed that the Mormons had poisoned them.

We laid by at Beaver several days, as the Bishop told us it was dangerous for so small a company as ours to go on. Our train consisted of only three wagons, and we were hurrying on to join the larger one.

While waiting here the train of Wm. Mathews and Sidney Tanner, of San Bernardino, came up, and I made arrangements to come on with them. We came on to Parowan, and here we learned that the train ahead had been attacked by the Indians, at the Mountain Meadows, fifty miles from Parowan, and had returned upon their road five miles to a spring, and fortified themselves. We then drove out of Parowan five or six miles, and camped at what is called the Summit.

Next morning an express arrived from Mr. Dame, President of Parowan, requesting us not to proceed any further that day, if we pleased; also, that Mathews and Tanner should return to Parowan, and bring me along with them. We returned, and a council was held, at which it was advised by Mr. Dame, that I should go back to my own train, as they did not wish to have strangers in their train. He also stated, that at two o'clock that morning, he had received an express from the train ahead, stating they were surrounded by Indians, who had killed two or three of their number, and asking for assistance. While we were talking, an express came in from Beaver, stating that the Indians had attacked my train in the streets of [that] place, and were fighting when he left. One reason given was that ten miles the other side of Beaver, an emigrant train had shot an Indian, which greatly enraged them; that the people of Beaver went out in the night and brought the emigrants in, and were followed by the Indians, who made the attack after their arrival.

On the receipt of this news, another private council was held; after which I was called in and told, that in consequence of the fight behind, it would be for their advantage to bring me through, provided I would obey council and the rules of the train. To this I assented, being anxious to get on, and asked what was required of me. Mr. Dame replied, that in passing through the Indian country, it might be necessary for me to be laid flat in a wagon and covered with blankets for two or three days, as the Indians were deadly hostile to all Americans; that if I was seen, it would endanger the safety of the whole train. My friend Mr. Warn was told that he would also go on, upon the same conditions.

At Parowan, it seems, when it was "for their interest" to bring us through, the elders had no control over the Indians, while at Buttermilk Fort, they were able to restrain them, as they declared, under great provocation.

On Friday, the 18th [day] of September, we left Parowan, and arrived at Cedar City, some eighteen miles, about one o'clock. During the afternoon, an express arrived from the Indians, stating one of their warriors had run up and looked into the corral, and he supposed that "only five or six of the emigrants were killed yet." These were the words of the expressman. The same night, four men were sent out from Parowan, to go and learn what was the fate of the train, and, as they pretended, to save, if possible, some of [its] members.

I omitted to mention, in the proper place, that Mr. Dame[, President of Parowan,] informed me that the attack on the train commenced on Monday, the 14th of September. I asked him if he could not raise a company, and go out and relieve the besieged train. He replied that he could go out and take them away in safety, but he dared not; he dared not disobey counsel.

On Saturday, at twelve o'clock, we left Cedar City. About the middle of the afternoon, we met the four men who were sent out the night previous, returning in a wagon, Mathews and Tanner held a council with them apart, and when they left, Mathews told me the entire train had been cut off; and as it was still dangerous to travel the road, they had concluded it was better for us to pass the spot in the night. We continued on, without much conversation, and about dusk met Mr. Dame, (I did not know that he had left Cedar City,) and three other white men, coming from the scene of slaughter, in company with a band of some twenty Indian warriors. One of the men in company with Mr. Dame, was Mr. Haight, President of Cedar City. Mr. Dame said they had been out to see to the burying of the dead; but the dead were not buried. From what I heard, I believe the bodies were left lying naked upon the ground, having been stripped of their clothing by the Indians. These Indians had a two-horse wagon, [filled] with something I could not see, as blankets were carefully spread over the top. The wagon was driven by a white man, and beside him there were two or three Indians in it. Many of them had shawls, and bundles of women's clothes were tied to their saddles. They were also well supplied with guns or pistols, besides bows and arrows. The hindmost Indians were driving several head of the emigrants' cattle. Mr. Dame and Mr. Haight and their men, seemed to be on the best of terms with the Indians, and they were all in high spirits, as if they were mutually pleased with the accomplishment of the same desired object. They thronged around us, and greeted us with noisy cordiality. We did not learn much from them. They passed on, and we drove all night in silence, and at daylight camped, and were told we were three miles beyond the scene of the slaughter. We lay by here two or three hours to rest, and then drove all day,twenty miles, at night camping on the Santa Clara River, near the Chief Jackson's village.

Next morning, after driving a few miles, we stopped to water. Jackson and his band soon came to us; and in a few minutes pointed out Mr. Warn as an American. The Mormon boys denied it, but the Indians were dissatisfied, and appeared restive. The Chief came up and accused me of being an American, appeared mad, stepped round, shook his head, and pulled his bowstring. He then sent several men on our road ahead. Mr. Mathews advised us to leave there as quick as possible, as it was getting dangerous.

At Jackson's we engaged Mr. Hatch to go on to the Muddy as an interpreter. It was a fortunate circumstance for us that this Mr. Hatch arrived at our camp at the very moment that we were wishing for him most. Mr. Mathews told me he was an Indian missionary, and of great influence among them. He could do more with them than anybody else, and if he could not get me over the road, nobody could. Mr. Tanner had declared that he would not go on without Mr. Hatch, and pretended to be afraid of the dangers of the road.

Next morning, Mr. Hatch left us and went on to the Muddy. About a day's drive the other side of the Muddy, we met him returning in company with two young men, brothers Young, horse-thieves, who were escaping from justice in San Bernardino, having been assisted in getting away by those who had them in custody. Mr. Hatch stated, that when he reached the Muddy he found the Young boys, in company with an emigrant who had escaped the massacre. That on his arrival, there was not an Indian in sight, and that he had to give the whoop to call them from concealment. He said in continuation, without appearing to notice the discrepancy, that on his arrival he found the Indians hotly pursuing the three men, and that they jumped upon the emigrant and killed him before his eyes, before he could interfere to prevent it. He said he threw himself between the boys and Indians, and had great difficulty in saving them. The Indians were in a great excitement, as he said, but that as Mathews and Tanner were Mormons, they could pass without danger.

We arrived at the Muddy the day after we met Mr. Hatch and the Young boys. We found here 30 or 40 Indians, and the mail riders from Los Angeles, who had come in that morning. The Indians were very friendly, and shook hands with everybody. No expression of hostility to Americans was heard, but this was accounted for on the ground that this was a Mormon train.

At the Vegas, we found another band of Indians. The chief asked our interpreter whether our captain had brought him no word from Brigham Young, whether he was nearly ready to fight the Americans yet; adding, that he was ready, had got his arrows poisoned, &c. &c.

At the Cotton-woods, 15 miles from the Vegas, the chief, called Brigham Young, said he was afraid of the emigrant train behind, and wished to know if they would shoot.

On the 1st October, we arrived at San Bernardino, and I was advised by R. Mathews, who I learned, was a President or Elder in that place, not to associate with the damned apostates, that they were cut-throats of the worst character. If I wished, they would give me constant work at their mill in the mountains, and I must be careful not to talk too much of what I had seen.

[Whilst] in San Bernardino I heard many persons express gratification at the massacre. At the church services on Sunday, Capt. Hunt occupied the pulpit, and among other things, he said that the hand of the Lord was in it; [whether it was done by white or red skins], it was right! The [prophecies] concerning Missouri were being fulfilled, and they would all be accomplished.

Mr. Mathews said the work had just begun, and it should be carried on until Uncle Sam and all the boys that were left, should come to Zion and beg for bread.

I did not stay in San Bernardino, because it did not appear to be a free country, for I am an American, and like freedom of thought and speech.

Thus far the narrative of Mr. Powers.

On being asked, if he did not at any time express any feeling, in the company, at the wholesale massacre of his countrymen. He replied, it was not safe to express an opinion. The men he was with were unscrupulous, and would not have hesitated to kill him for any unguarded words. When the Indians passed by him, wearing the garments of American women, and seeming to exult in their crimes, his blood boiled, but he dared not speak; and after they were gone, he asked Matthews, with earnestness, why it had been done. Matthews replied, that he must not grieve or take on, for the women were all prostitutes, that their bodies had been examined by President Dame, and this ought to console him. Matthews rejoiced greatly at the massacre, and considered it the beginning of long delayed vengeance.

Mr. Tanner regretted it, and seemed to be deeply grieved.

It is supposed that one hundred and eighteen (118) persons were killed of whom fifty six (56) were men, and that fifteen (15) children were taken back to Cedar City of whom, not one was over six years old. It was reported, that but one Indian was killed.

Mr. P. M. Warn, of Bergen, Genesee county, New York; who was a fellow-traveler with Mr. Powers, on that fatal journey, corroborates the statements of Powers, so far as he was acquainted with the facts, and gives the following additional particulars, which did not come under the observation of Mr. Powers:

Mr. Warn states that there was a coolness between himself and Mr. Matthews, arising from the frankness with which he expressed his opinions, and in consequence of this, he was not treated with as much confidence as Mr. Powers.

Mr. Warn arrived at Salt Lake, via Independence, on the 7th of April last, and remained until the 26th, on which day he started for California, as a passenger in Matthews and Tanner's train. He states, that on his journey through the settlements, which was a week or ten days subsequent to the passage of the murdered train, he every where heard the same threats of vengeance against them, for their boisterousness and abuse of Mormons and Mormonism, as was reported, and these threats seemed to be made with the intention of preparing the mind to expect a calamity, and also when a calamity occurred, it should appear to fall upon transgressors, as a matter of retribution.

Mr. Warn says according to his memorandum, on the 5th of September we encamped at Corn Creek. Here I had conversation with the Indian agent, concerning the poisoning of the ox. He said that six Indians had died; that others were sick and would die. Upon one of them, the poison had worked out all over his breast, and he was dead next morning, as reported. Afterwards, I conversed with an Indian, said to be the war chief Ammon, who spoke good English. I inquired how many of his tribe had died from eating the poisoned animal. He replied not any but some were sick. He did not attribute the sickness to poison, nor did he give any reason for it. His manner, and that of all his people towards us, was not only friendly, but cordial; and he did not mention the train which had been doomed. Besides the Mormon train, there were camped at this place two or three emigrants trains, amounting to fifteen or eighteen wagons, with whom the Indians were as friendly as with ourselves. From Corn Creek, nothing of importance occurred more than is related by Mr. Powers, until we arrived at Cedar City. Here the four men, spoken of by Mr. Powers, (and among whom I recognized Mr. Dame,) arrived at our camp; they wished to get fresh animals, that they might go on that night to the besieged party. This was on Friday night, the night on which the slaughter was completed. They rested an hour or two, and took refreshments. In the conversation which ensured, one our party said, ["]be careful, and don't get shot, Mr. Haight.["] Mr. H. replied, ["]we shall have no shooting;["] emphasizing the we, and throwing up his head, as if he meant to imply that the shooting would be all over before he arrived. They left us in good spirits.

One reason that may be assigned for the massacre of this train, is, that it was known to be in possession of considerable valuable property, and this fact excited the cupidity of the Mormons. It was said, they had over 400 head of stock, besides mules, &c. They were well supplied with arms and ammunition, an element of gain which enters largely into all Mormon calculations. The train was composed of families who all seemed to be in good circumstances, and as they were moving to California, their outfit indicated that they might be in possession of considerable funds. The men were very free in speaking of the Mormons; their conduct was said to have been reckless, and they would commit little acts of annoyance for the purpose of provoking the saints. Feeling perfectly safe in their arms and numbers, they seemed to set at defiance all the powers that could be brought against them. And they were not permitted to feel the dangers that surrounded them, until they were cut off from all hope of relief.

Mr. Warn states, in speaking of the emigrant who escaped and was killed at the Muddy, that at Painter Creek, some six or seven miles on the other side of the place of massacre, a Mormon told him that one of the little girls who was taken back, and who is about six years old, said that she saw her mother killed by an arrow, and that her father had escaped to California. This was before Hatch joined the train. The matter of the escaped was talked over by the Mormon captains, and Mathews made the remark, ["]If the man comes into our train, he shall not be received!["]

---

The Duty of the Government.

It may be superfluous in us, on reviewing the facts detailed elsewhere, to say anything to urge the Federal Government at Washington to take prompt measures to investigate the last sanguinary tragedy on the Salt Lake route to California. The facts set forth, that one hundred and eighteen Americans, men, women, and children, have been cruelly butchered on the nation’s highway, by a band of ruthless savages, are in themselves sufficiently startling and appalling, to arouse the energies of the most dormant. From time to time, outrages have been perpetrated by the Indians on passing emigrants, of which no notice have been taken by the authorities. It would seem as if those who set out to make their homes in this State, are deemed to have left behind them all claim on the Government for protection; and that they are doomed to death, if unable to defend themselves against the sudden attack of an ambushed enemy, or unfortunate in contending against the unknown and unforeseen dangers of the route....

(under construction)

---

Public Meeting.

A mass meeting of the citizens of Los Angeles, convened at the Pavillion, on the Plaza, October 12th, 1857, to investigate the facts in the recent massacre, on the Salt Lake road, of more than one hundred Americans....

Committee reported the following preamble and resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, After a careful examination into all the circumstances connected with the late horrible massacre in Utah Territory, we firmly believe the atrocious act was perpetrated by the Mormons, and their allies the Indians; and

Whereas, We perceive the rapidly gathering cloud of troubles caused by a long, undisturbed, [systemized] course of thefts, robberies, and murders, promoted and sanctioned by their leader, and head prophet, Brigham Young, together with the Elders and followers of the Mormon Church, upon American citizens, who necessity has compelled to pass through their Territory. Aware of their bitter hostility to our republican government, and all its Institutions; their rejection, insult, oppression, and in some cases murder, of the Federal officers, sent by the President to enforce the laws of the United States; believing that the late massacre in cold blood of one hundred and eighteen persons, included in which number, were sixty women and children, is but the commencement of a series of such fiendish atrocities that the many emigrant trains, now on their way from the Western States to California, are liable to meet the same fate; that unless speedy measures are taken by the Government of the United States, the tide of emigration by this route will be entirely stopped.

Therefore, be it resolved, That we respectfully petition the President of the United States, to exert the authority vested in him by the Constitution; that prompt measures may be taken for the punishment of the authors of the recent appalling and wholesale butchery of innocent men, women and children.

Resolved, That as there are at the present time, a large community of Mormons residing in the adjoining county of San Bernardino, many of whom are living in open violation of one the most important and scared laws of our State.

Be it Resolved, That we hereby respectfully request the Chief Executive of this State, to enforce its laws upon the people.

Resolved, That we hold ourselves ready at all times to respond to the call of the proper authority, to assist, if necessary, in enforcing obedience to the laws...

(under construction)

Notes: (forthcoming)

The  Immigrant  Massacre.

Angels, October 14, 1857.    

EDITORS ALTA: This morning, while conversing with some immigrants, who have lately arrived via the Plains from Arkansas, and are living within a few miles of this place, I related to them the circumstances of the massacre. They immediately informed me that they knew who the parties were. They stated that there were three, and perhaps four, companies from Arkansas, while the balance of the company was made up of Missourians, who fell in with them; of these latter, they knew nothing, but the Arkansas companies, consisted of Faziers, Camerons and the two Dunlaps, and perhaps Bakers. They were from the counties of Marion, [Carrol] and Johnson. They say when they saw them, they were encamped six miles from Salt Lake City, that they had been there for some time, and that they intended to stay there until the weather got cool enough for them to come by the South Pass, expecting to make a stay of eight weeks all together. Baker had not arrived there when they left, but as they can learn nothing from him or his company, they concluded that he had fallen in and decided to come into California with these companies. The two Dunlaps had each nine children, some of them well grown. If these are the persons who were slaughtered, who can be so blind as not to see that the hands of Mormons are stained with this blood. How could so large a company remain among them for two months and they not learn one name? and why would the Indians kill every being, except those that were too young to communicate anything to their friends, or hardly tell a name, or tell who were the murderers of their parents, and brothers and sisters; or even discriminate between white men and Indians? Why all this concealment? and in the very face of it the Indians tell what they have done and sell all their spoils to the whites. It will do to lay this blood upon them, but I feel certain that investigation will throw it off.   P.


Notes: (forthcoming)

Mormon  and  Indian  Alliance.

Yesterday, we had an interview with a gentleman from Carson Valley who, from intimacy with Mormon families, has some knowledge of their future designs and plans of iperation. If his conclusions be correct, not only the settlers east of the mountains, but even the people of this State will have reason to deprecate the exasperation of those American Bedouins. He says that the Mormons of Carson Valley and San Bernardino have sold their cattle and property for nearly nothing, and, at the bidding of their chief, have repaired to Salt Lake with the secret design of re-organizing, arming, equiping, returning murdering and plundering their Gentile neighbors. The declare that, for every saint slain by the United States troops, ten Gentile women shall make atonement; that they will first exterminate the troops from the east, then come west, and, in predatory bands, allied with Indians, they will ravage the border, rob, plunder and murder, until they shall have replentished the Lord's treasury, and revenged insults put upon his chosen people.

Of their ability to execute this threat, we have but little doubt. At the order of their leader and prophet, they can muster 15,000 men armed with the most effective instruments of destruction. They have many thousands of the finest horses, trained to camp-service; they have a foundry where cannon and shells are cast; a powder mill and a factory, where revolving rifles and pistols are manufactured; equal to those made at Hartford. They have every munition of war and necessary provision and means of transportation, within themselves, and even the women and children are instructed in the use of arms. Add to this their geographical position. To reach Salt Lake, from the east, it is necessary to pass through a canyon of twenty-five miles, under hills so steep and rocky that a dozen men could hurl down an avalanche of stones on an approaching caravan: and even in the event of several thousand troops reaching the valley, the beseiged, with their herds, would take to the mountains, and, reinforced by their savage allies, would, in turn, besiege their besiegers, until the invaders had starved out.

They have, it is said, 20,000 Indian allies, whom they are ready to furnish with arms and horses on an emergency. These Indians are partially instructed in the Mormon religion -- enough to make them superstitious in regard to the God of a superior race, yet modifying none of their ferocity. With allies like these and fighting for their homes, and, according to the belief of the ignorant, under the direct supervision of the God of Battles, and from the ramparts with which nature has surrounded them, it is easy to conceive what would be the fate of a few thousand troops, who travelled a thousand miles to fi